JP3515729B2 - Bicycle front derailleur and cable guide adapter for the front derailleur - Google Patents

Abstract

A front derailleur (12) for a bicycle (10) is provided to move or shift a chain between two or more sprockets for changing gears. The front derailleur can be connected to the shift cable such that the shift cable is pulled upwardly or downwardly relative to the bicycle frame. The front derailleur has a fixed member (30) adapted to be coupled to a portion of the bicycle, a chain guide (32) for shifting the chain of the bicycle and a linkage assembly (34) coupled between the fixed member and the chain guide. The chain guide is located above the fixed member and a coil spring (35) is used to bias the chain guide from an extended position to a retracted position. A detachable guide member (85) is removably coupled to the linkage assembly for guiding the shift cable downwardly relative to the bicycle frame. If the detachable guide member is removed, then the shift cable is pulled upwardly relative to the bicycle frame. <IMAGE>

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bicycle front derailleur and a cable guide adapter for the front derailleur. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle front derailleur that can be used for bicycle frames of various shapes and a cable guide adapter for the front derailleur.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a front derailleur includes a fixed member that is immovably fixed to a bicycle frame, and a moving member that is supported so as to be movable relative to the fixed member. The moving member has a chain guide having a pair of vertical surfaces that come into contact with the chain.

The moving member moves relative to the fixed member by pulling the shift control cable. The moving member and the fixed member are generally connected to each other via a swing link. The control cable is connected to one of the swing links so that torque can be transmitted to the swing link, whereby the link moves the moving member. The control cable is at a position where the operating force applied to the control cable is transmitted to the link,
It is fixed to the link. The torque on the cable is
Converted to link swing torque. However, in a front derailleur having a fixed member arranged below the moving member, the position is not always suitable for the work of attaching the control cable to the swing link.

From the above point of view, there is a demand for a bicycle front derailleur that solves the above problems in the prior art. The present invention has been made in view of the above-described demands in the related art and other demands that will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to
A front derailleur for a bicycle and a cable guide adapter for the front derailleur that can be used for various types of bicycle frames.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a front derailleur having a removable cable guide adapter adapted for use with either an upper pull cable or a lower pull cable.

[0007]

The above-mentioned object is basically
It can be achieved by providing a bicycle front derailleur with a fixing member, a chain guide and a linkage. The fixing member is configured to be connected to a bicycle frame. The chain guide has a chain receiving slot for laterally shifting the chain of the bicycle. The link mechanism is connected between the fixing member and the chain guide so as to move the chain guide between a contracted position and an expanded position. The link mechanism includes a third link member provided on the fixed member, a first link member rotatably connected to the third link member about a pivot shaft, and a second link member provided on the chain guide. A second link member rotatably connected to the first link member about a pivot shaft parallel to the pivot shaft of the first link member with respect to the third link member; And a biasing member that biases the chain guide toward one of the contracted position and the expanded position. One end of the first link member is the third
The other end is rotatably connected to the link member and the other end is the second
A cable attachment member rotatably connected to the link member, shift the cable attachment member whose ends are attachable Mounting of the cable, the cable guide adapter removably coupled to said cable attachment member And said
And a cable guide adapter having a cable receiving surface for guiding the shift cable . The shift cable
To the cable mounting member via the cable receiving surface.
Connect it or use the shift cable as it is
By selecting whether to connect to the cable mounting member
As the shift cable, the upper pull cable or the lower
Any of the tensile cables can be used.

Further, the above object can also be achieved by providing a front derailleur according to another aspect including a fixing member, a chain guide, and a link mechanism.
The fixing member is configured to be connected to a bicycle frame. The chain guide has a chain receiving slot for laterally shifting the chain of the bicycle. The link mechanism moves the chain guide between a contracted position and an expanded position,
It is connected between the chain guide and the fixing member. The chain guide is supported above the fixing member by the link mechanism. The link mechanism includes a coil spring, a first lower link, and a second
And an upper link. The coil spring is
The chain guide is expanded and contracted along the axial direction to urge the chain guide to one of the contracted position and the expanded position. The first lower link is rotatably connected to the fixing member.
On the other hand, the second upper link is fixed to the chain guide and rotatably connected to the first lower link. The first lower link is a cable attachment member having one end and a second end rotatably connected to the fixed member is pivotally connected to said second upper link, shea off <br / > DOO a cable attachment member end with is attachable preparative cable, a said cable cable guide adapter to the mounting member is detachably connected, the shift cable
And a cable guide adapter having a cable receiving surface for guiding the cable. The shift cable to the cable
Connection to the cable mounting member via the cable receiving surface
Or, the shift cable as it is, the cable
By selecting whether to connect to the mounting member, the shift
Upper pull cable or lower pull cable as a cable
Any of these can be used.

Further, the object is to provide a fixing member configured to be connected to a part of a bicycle, a chain guide having a chain receiving slot for laterally shifting a chain of the bicycle, and a contraction of the chain guide. A link mechanism connected between the fixing member and the chain guide for moving between the position and the extended position, the link mechanism moving the chain guide to one of the contracted position and the expanded position. An urging member that urges toward the first member, a first link that is rotatably connected to the fixing member, and a second link that is provided on the chain guide, and is rotatably attached to the first link. A second link connected to the first link, wherein the first link has one end rotatably connected to the fixing member and the other end rotatably connected to the second link. A cable attachment member, to provide a cable guide adapter ends Mounting of shift cable is applied to a front derailleur for a bicycle having a cable attachment member which is attachable. The cable guide adapter includes a main body having a cable receiving surface that guides the shift cable, and is configured to be detachably connected to the cable mounting member. Sai
Cable to the cable through the cable receiving surface.
Or the shift cable described above.
Select whether to connect the cable directly to the cable mounting member
The shift cable enables the upper tension cable to
Either a pull cable or a downward pull cable can be used
Cable guide adapter is configured.

These and other objects, features, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which disclose the preferred embodiments of the invention. Will be

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, referring to FIG. 1, a front derailleur 12 includes a seat support portion 14 of a bicycle frame.
The bicycle 10 is depicted in a state of being fixed to the bicycle. The front derailleur 12 is operated by a shift unit 16 via a shift cable 18 to move the chain 20 between sprockets 22.

The front derailleur 12 according to the present invention is
It is structured so that it can be applied to a wide range of bicycles. In particular, the front derailleur 12 can be used for both a shift cable reaching from above the derailleur or a shift cable reaching from below the derailleur. That is, the cable 18 is connected to the front derailleur 12 so that the inner wire 18 can be pulled upward or downward from the front derailleur 12.

Bicycles and their various components are well known in the art, and therefore the bicycle and its various components will be described in detail herein, except for those components which are relevant to the present invention. Or do not describe. That is, in the present specification, only the front derailleur and members related to the front derailleur are described and depicted.

The terms "forward", "rearward", "upper", "upper", "lower", as used in this specification,
“Down” and “sideways” mean directions in a normal riding state of the bicycle to which the front derailleur 12 is attached. Accordingly, these terms used to describe the front derailleur 12 in the claims should be interpreted with reference to the bicycle 10 in a normal riding condition.

Although the front derailleur 12 is depicted as being secured to the seat post 14 of the bicycle frame, the front derailleur 12 may be a bicycle such as a bottom bracket if the front derailleur 12 is needed and / or desired. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that they may be linked to other moieties.

The front derailleur 12 basically comprises a fixing member 30, a chain guide 32, and a link mechanism fixed between the fixing member and the chain guide. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the fixing member 30 is disposed below the chain guide 32 and the link mechanism 34, and the chain guide 32 is expanded (high speed) from the contracted (low speed gear) position. Gear) position. The link mechanism 34 may preferably be configured such that a biasing member (coil spring) 35 constantly biases the chain guide 32 laterally toward the frame of the bicycle 10. That is, when the chain guide 32 comes closest to the frame of the bicycle 10, the chain guide 32 holds the chain 20 on the sprocket 22 closest to the seat support 14.

When the link mechanism 34 holds the chain guide 32 in the expanded position, the chain guide 32 is positioned on the outermost end sprocket 22, that is, the sprocket 22 that is the farthest from the seat support portion 14. Chain guide 3
These movements of 2 and the linkage 34 are controlled by the shift unit 16. Specifically, when the rider operates the lever of the shift unit 16, the shift cable 18 is pulled and the chain guide 32 is moved via the link mechanism 34 between the expanded position and the contracted position. The shift unit 16 can be various types of shift units. Therefore, the exact structure of the shift unit 16 will not be described or depicted in detail.

The fixing member 30 is preferably attachable directly to the seat strut portion 14. Fixing member 30
Basically includes a first C-shaped clamp portion 36, a second C-shaped clamp portion 38, a pivot pin 40, and a fastener 42. First clamp part 36 and second clamp part 3
8 is made of a rigid material for fixing the front derailleur 12 to the seat column portion 14 of the bicycle 10. Preferably, the first clamp part 36 and the second clamp part 38.
Can be made of metal. Of course, the clamp portion 36 and the clamp portion 38 may be formed of other materials such as hard plastic. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp portion 36 and the clamp portion 38 are formed of a metal sheet that is bent into a desired shape. of course,
The clamp portion 36 and the clamp portion 38 are forged and / or
Alternatively, it can be manufactured using another manufacturing technique such as machining.

One ends of the clamp portions 36, 38 are rotatably fastened together by a pivot pin extending substantially vertically to the bicycle 10. The other ends of the clamp portions 36 and 38 are releasably connected via a fastener 42. The fastener 42 may preferably be a screw or a bolt screwed into the screw hole of the first clamp portion 36.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first clamp portion 36 constitutes a part of the link mechanism 34.
In other words, a part of the link mechanism 34 is integrally formed with the first clamp portion 36 as described later. More specifically, the first clamp portion 36 has a pair of mounting flanges 44 and 46 that extend substantially horizontally and are substantially parallel to each other.
The flanges 44, 46 have vertically arranged holes for receiving the pivot pins 40. The pivot pin 40 may preferably be a rivet that rotatably fixes the second clamp portion 38 between the flange 44 and the flange 46 of the first clamp portion 36.

The upper flange 46 has a pair of substantially parallel mounting flanges 50 and 52 extending in a substantially vertical direction. Each of the mounting flanges 50 and 52 has a pivot pin 55 for mounting a part of the link mechanism, as described later.
It has turning holes 53 and 54 for receiving. The mounting flange 50 further has a second pivot hole 56 that receives a pivot pin 57 for connecting other parts of the link mechanism 34. As will be described later in detail, the flange 50 is
It forms a part of the link member in the link mechanism 34. Therefore, the flange 50 is a fixed link member.

As best shown in FIGS. 4-6, the chain guide 32 is preferably formed of a high rigidity material. For example, the chain guide 32 is preferably formed of a metal such as a rigid metal sheet that is bent into a desired shape. The chain guide 32 is used to move the chain 20 laterally with respect to the bicycle 10.
It has a chain receiving slot formed by a pair of shift plates 61, 62 configured to engage zero. The shift plates 61 and 62 are the plates 6
They are interconnected by 3,64. Plate 63
Are integrally formed between the shift plates 61 and 62. The plate 64 has one end portion integrally formed with the shift plate 62 and the other end portion detachably connected to the shift plate 61 via a screw 65.

The chain guide 32 further has a pair of mounting flanges 66 and 67 extending substantially horizontally from the shift plate 61 for connecting the link mechanism 34. The mounting flange 66 forms one link member in the link mechanism 34. More specifically, the mounting flange 66 has a first portion 68 and a second portion 69. The first portion 68 has a pair of screw holes 70, 71 for receiving the adjusting screws 72, 73. The adjusting screw 72 is a low speed side position adjusting screw, and on the other hand,
The adjusting screw 73 is a high speed side position adjusting screw. Adjustment screw 7
2, 73 engage with a part of the link mechanism, as described later, in order to control the moving range of the chain guide 32.
That is, by adjusting the respective axially extending portions of the adjusting screws 72, 73 with respect to the first portion 68, the contracted (low gear) position and the expanded (high gear) position of the chain guide 32 are adjusted independently of each other. It

The upper cover 74 has mounting flanges 66, 6
It is provided to cover the upper part of 7. Top cover 74
Is preferably a non-metal member or a plastic member having a pair of holes 75 and 76. The holes 75 and 76 are
Initially, the diameter is slightly smaller than the screw diameters of the adjusting screws 72 and 73. Therefore, the adjustment screws 72 and 73 are screw holes 75 and 7.
When screwed into 6, the non-metallic member is cut or tapped to form an internal thread. This causes frictional engagement between the upper cover 74 and the adjusting screws 72, 73. Therefore, basically, the adjusting screws 72 and 73 do not move in the axial direction due to vibration due to the frictional force between the upper cover 74 and the adjusting screws 72 and 73 unless the adjusting screws 72 and 73 are artificially adjusted. .

The second portion 69 of the mounting flange 66 forms one link member in the link mechanism 34. The mounting flange 66 has a pair of rotation holes 77 and 78 for rotatably mounting a pair of link members in the link mechanism 34, as described later. The mounting flange 67 is
In order to rotatably connect the link member of the link mechanism 34 to the second portion 69, there is a rotation hole 79 aligned with the rotation hole 78 of the second portion 69.

Preferably, the shift plate 61 of the chain guide 32 may further include an L-shaped tab 80. The tab 80 is connected to one end of a biasing member 35 that biases the chain guide 32 from the expanded position toward the contracted position in a normal state.

The link mechanism 34 is preferably a first link member 81, a second link member (second portion) 69, a third link member (mounting flange) 50 and a fourth link member 82.
Can be a 4-bar type link mechanism.
The first link member 81 has a turning point located on a straight line substantially parallel to the straight line passing through the turning point of the fourth link member 82. Similarly, the second link member 69 has a turning point located on a straight line substantially parallel to a straight line passing through the turning point of the third link member 50 (mounting flange 50).

The first link member 81 can preferably consist of two main members. Specifically, the first link member 81 includes a cable mounting member 84,
And a cable guide adapter 85. The cable attachment member 84 is rotatably connected to the second link member 69 by a pivot pin 86 at one end. The other end of the cable attachment member 84 has the pivot pin 57.
Through the third link member (flange 5
0) is rotatably connected. Therefore, the cable attachment member 84 has a pair of spaced pivot holes 88 for receiving the pivot pins 86, 57. The cable attachment member 84 is preferably secured on the pivot pins 86, 57 by a snap washer 90. More specifically, each of the pivot pins 86,57 has a pair of axially spaced grooves 92,93 for selectively receiving the retaining washers 92, as shown in FIG. . The holding washer 90 is a cable guide adapter 8
7 is not used (when the cable guide adapter 87 is not mounted), it is received in the groove 92, while the cable guide adapter 85 is used by the cable attachment member 8
When it is mounted on the No. 4, it is received in the groove 93.

The cable mounting member 84 is a wire clamp 9 for mounting the inner wire 18 of the cable 18.
Have four. Preferably, the wire clamp 94 is
It has a fixed portion 95 and a moving portion 96 that are integrally connected by a bolt 97 and a nut 98.

The cable guide adapter 85 can preferably be a triangular member having a pair of mounting holes 101 for receiving the ends of the pivot pins 86, 57.
As mentioned above, the cable guide adapter 85 is retained on the pivot pins 86, 57 when the retaining washer 90 is received in the groove 93 of the pivot pins 86, 57.

Preferably, these retaining washers 90
Can be an E-shaped retaining clip that snaps into either retaining groove 92 or retaining groove 93. At the edge of the cable guide adapter 85, a holding groove or recess 1 for receiving the inner wire of the shift cable 18 is formed.
02 is provided.

A cable guide adapter 85 is utilized on the front derailleur 12 when it is desired that the shift cable 18 be disposed below the front derailleur 12. Therefore, the cable guide adapter 85
Guides the inner wire of the shift cable 18 around the edge of the cable guide adapter 85 and then guides the inner wire downwards towards the point where the cable 18 is connected to the bicycle frame. Two retaining flanges 103 are provided near the retaining recess 102,
As a result, the inner wire of the shift cable 18 is prevented from accidentally coming off the holding recess.

The fourth link member 82 is rotatably attached to the second link member 69 of the chain guide 32 via the pivot pin 104. Specifically, the pivot pin 104
Are received in the pivot holes 78, 79 of the flanges 66, 67. The other end of the fourth link member 82 is rotatably mounted on the pivot pin 55 of the third link member or the mounting flange 50. At the upper end of the fourth link member 82,
Chain guide 32 between retracted and expanded positions
A fan-shaped member 105 that engages with the adjusting screws 72, 73 is provided to limit the movement of the. More specifically, the fan member 105 includes a low speed side stop surface 106 and a high speed side stop surface 107 as shown in FIGS.
Is provided. The low speed side stop surface 106 is configured to engage the free end of the low speed side adjustment screw 72,
On the other hand, the high speed side stop surface 107 is arranged to engage with the high speed side adjusting screw 73. Since such an arrangement is a relatively common adjustment mechanism well known in the art, it will not be described or depicted in detail.

The biasing member 35 is preferably attached to the pivot pin 57 so as to bias the chain guide 32 from the expanded position toward the contracted position in the normal state.
The coil spring may have an end portion and a second end portion attached to the tab 80 of the chain guide 32. In other words, the biasing member or the coil spring 35
Is stretched / contracted along the axial direction and, in a normal state, is placed in a state in which a biasing force that biases the cable guide 32 from the expanded position to the contracted position is generated. of course,
The movement of the chain guide is controlled by the shift unit 18 which moves the cable 18 in a relatively conventional manner.

Preferably, the pivot pin 57 can be provided with a groove 110 arranged between the cable attachment member 84 of the first link member 81 and the third link member (mounting flange 50). More specifically, the pivot pin 57 has a third
It can be a stepped pin which is riveted into the hole of the link member or the flange 50 and which is detachably connected to the cable attachment member 84 and the cable guide adapter 85 at the other end via the holding washer 90.

As described above, the front derailleur according to the present embodiment is provided with the fixing member, the chain guide, and the link mechanism, and the link mechanism is
A biasing member that biases the chain guide toward one of the contracted position and the expanded position, a cable attachment member configured to be coupled to the shift cable, and a detachable detachable connection to the cable attachment member. And a first link rotatably connected to the fixing member, and the cable guide adapter has a cable receiving surface configured to guide the shift cable. Since it is configured as described above, it can be used for either an upper pull cable or a lower pull cable. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, in the case of a downward pulling cable in which the shift cable is pulled downward, the cable guide adapter is used to move the attachment end portion of the shift cable extending upward from downward to the cable guide. It can be located above the cable mounting member via an adapter. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the shift cable is an upward pulling cable that is pulled upward, the mounting end portion of the shift cable that extends downward from the upper side can be directly connected to the cable mounting member. As described above, in the present embodiment, when connecting the mounting end portion of the shift cable to the shift cable mounting member, it is only necessary to select whether or not to perform it through the cable guide adapter. Can be used for both cables.

Embodiment 2 Referring now to FIG. 8, a second embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except that the arrangement of the biasing member (coil spring) 35 is moved. In the present embodiment, the biasing member 35 has a first end attached to the pivot pin 57, while the second end is attached to the pivot pin 104. The purpose of providing the urging member 35 is to urge the chain guide 32 from the expanded position to the contracted position in the normal state, as in the above embodiment.

In consideration of the commonality between the present embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiment, the members corresponding to those of the above-mentioned Embodiment 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. That is, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure that various members and explanations in the above-described embodiment are applied to the same or corresponding members in this embodiment. Therefore, the front derailleur 12 according to the present embodiment will not be described or depicted in detail.

Embodiment 3. Referring now to FIG. 9, a third embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the above-mentioned embodiments, except that the biasing member 35 is changed to use a torsion spring instead of the coil spring.

In this embodiment, the biasing member 35 is
The torsion spring has a coil portion wound around the pivot pin 86. One end of the torsion spring 35a abuts on the first link 81, while the other end of the torsion spring 35a abuts on the second link or the vertical section 81 of the chain guide 32. In a normal state, the torsion spring 35a is placed under a biasing force that presses the cable guide 32 from the expanded position to the contracted position. Of course, the movement of the chain guide 32 causes the shift unit 1 to move the cable 18 according to a relatively common method.
Controlled by 6.

In view of the commonality between the present embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiments, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the members of the present embodiment corresponding to the above-mentioned first embodiment. That is, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure that various members and explanations in the above-described embodiment are applied to the same or corresponding members in this embodiment. Therefore, the front derailleur 12 according to the present embodiment will not be described or depicted in detail.

Fourth Embodiment Referring now to FIG. 10, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the above-mentioned embodiments, except that the mounting structure for mounting the cable guide adapter 85 on the cable mounting member 84 is modified. That is, the pivot pins 86 and 57 in the first embodiment are the same as the pivot pins 86a and 57.
has been replaced by a. The pivot pins 86a and 57a have external threads that screw with nuts. The nut 90a is
Preferably, it may be a lock-type nut screwed with the screw of the pivot pin 86a, 57a, so that it can be arranged at any point along the screw so as not to move due to vibration of the bicycle 10 or the like. be able to. The pivot pins 86a and 57a are the grooves 92 and 93 of the pivot pins 86 and 57.
Are the same as the pivot pins 68, 57, except that the pivot pins 86a, 57a are replaced by external threads. Therefore, the pivot pins 86a, 57a will not be described or depicted in detail.

In view of the commonality between the present embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiments, the corresponding members in the above-mentioned embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals. That is, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure that various members and explanations in the above-described embodiment are applied to the same or corresponding members in this embodiment. Therefore, the front derailleur according to the present embodiment will not be described or depicted in detail.

Embodiment 5. Here, FIG. 11 and FIG.
Referring to, a fifth embodiment of the present invention is depicted. In this embodiment, the cable guide adapter 85
However, it has the same configuration as that of the above-mentioned embodiment except that it is modified so that it is not attached via the pivot pins 86 and 57. That is, the cable guide adapter 85a is configured to be placed on the edge of the cable attachment member 84a. Specifically, the cable guide adapter 85a has a main body portion having a slit or slot 101a that engages with the edge of the cable mounting member 84a. The tension of the cable 18 acts so as to keep the cable guide adapter 85a firmly attached to the cable attachment member 84a. As in the first embodiment, the cable guide adapter 85a has a recess 102a and a pair of holding flanges 103a for holding the inner wire of the cable 18 on the edge.

Of course, the cable guide adapter 85
It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of this disclosure that a can be attached in a variety of different ways. For example, the cable guide adapter 85a may be snap-engaged with the cable attachment member 84a utilizing various snap engagements. Additionally, frictional engagement may be used to secure the cable guide adapter 85a to the cable attachment member 84a. Accordingly, the term "means for removably connecting" as used herein to describe the connection between the cable attachment member and the cable guide adapter.
In the same manner as the various mounting methods disclosed herein, the cable mounting member 8 can be installed without breaking the front derailleur.
Various other attachment methods that may separate the cable guide adapter 85a from 4a are included. For example, the cable guide adapter 85a can be provided with a deformable tab that bends to engage the cable attachment member.

In view of the commonality between the present embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiments, the members corresponding to those of the above-mentioned embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals. That is, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure that various members and explanations in the above-described embodiment are applied to the same or corresponding members in this embodiment. Therefore, the front derailleur 12 according to the present embodiment will not be described or depicted in detail.

Although various embodiments have been selected for explaining the present invention, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention defined by the claims. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having access to the present disclosure. Furthermore, the description of the embodiments according to the present invention is for explaining the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention defined by the claims and the scope of equivalents thereof.

[0048]

Since the front derailleur according to the present invention is provided with the detachable cable guide adapter, it can be either an upper pull cable or a lower pull cable depending on whether or not the cable guide adapter is used. It can also be used effectively.
Further, according to the cable guide adapter for the front derailleur according to the present invention, the front derailleur can be applied to both the upper pull cable and the lower pull cable.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a general bicycle having a front derailleur according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the front derailleur according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to a column portion of a bicycle frame, and shows a state in which a cable guide adapter is attached.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the front derailleur according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to a column of a bicycle frame, and shows a state in which a cable guide adapter is removed.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the front derailleur shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a partial rear view of the front derailleur shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, showing a state in which the front derailleur is located at the first gear position or the low speed gear position.

FIG. 6 is a partial rear view of the front derailleur shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, showing a state in which the front derailleur is located at the second gear position or the high speed gear position.

FIG. 7 is a partial rear view of the cable mounting member in the front derailleur shown in FIGS. 2 to 6.

FIG. 8 is a partial rear view of a front derailleur according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the front derailleur is located at the first gear position or the low speed gear position.

FIG. 9 is a partial rear view of a front derailleur according to still another embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the front derailleur is located at the first gear position or the low speed gear position.

FIG. 10 is a partial exploded perspective view of specific constituent members of a front derailleur according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a front derailleur according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of the front derailleur shown in FIG. 11.

[Explanation of symbols]

18 shift cable 30 fixing member 32 Chain guide 50 Third Link (Mounting Flange) 81 First Link 82 Fourth Link 35 biasing member 69 Second Link 84 Cable mounting member 85 Cable guide adapter 102 Cable receiving recess

Claims (28)

(57) [Claims] 1. A fixing member configured to be connected to a bicycle frame, a chain guide having a chain receiving slot for laterally shifting a bicycle chain, and a contraction position and an expansion position of the chain guide. A link mechanism connected between the fixing member and a chain guide for moving between the position and the position, the link mechanism including a third link member provided on the fixing member; A first link member rotatably connected to the link member about a pivot axis; and a second link member provided on the chain guide, wherein the first link member includes the first link member of the first link member. A second link member that is rotatably connected about a pivot shaft parallel to the pivot shaft and that is urging to bias the chain guide toward one of a contracted position and an expanded position. And a member, wherein the first link member is a cable attachment member having one end rotatably connected to the third link member and the other end rotatably connected to the second link member. Te, a shift and a cable attachment member whose ends are attachable mounting of the cable, the cable guide adapter removably coupled to the cable attachment member has a cable receiving surface for guiding said shift cable A cable guide adapter , the shift cable through the cable receiving surface
Connect to the cable mounting member, or
Cable is directly connected to the cable mounting member.
By selecting, pull up the shift cable.
Either tension cable or downward tension cable can be used
A front derailleur for bicycles that is characterized by 2. The front derailleur for a bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the chain guide is arranged above the fixing member when mounted on a bicycle. 3. The biasing member is a coil spring that expands and contracts in the axial direction.
Or the front derailleur for a bicycle according to 2. 4. The front derailleur for a bicycle according to claim 3, wherein the coil spring is a tension spring. 5. The biasing member is a torsion spring that acts on the link mechanism so as to bias the chain guide to one of the contracted position and the expanded position. The front derailleur for a bicycle according to 2. 6. The cable mounting member has a first end at a first end.
The third link member is connected via a pivot pin, and the other end is rotatably connected to the second link member via a second pivot pin. The first end portion connected to the first pivot pin and the second end portion connected to at least one of the second link member and the chain guide are included. The bicycle front derailleur according to any one of 5 above. 7. The link mechanism has a first end portion which is the second end portion.
7. A fourth link rotatably connected to a link member and having a second end rotatably connected to the third link member, according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Front derailleur for bicycles described in. 8. The cable guide adapter is detachably attached to the cable attachment member via at least one pivot pin for the first link member in the link mechanism. The bicycle front derailleur according to any one of 1 to 7. 9. The pivot pin has a pair of axially spaced grooves, and a holding washer is configured to be selectively received and held in one of the pair of grooves. The front derailleur for a bicycle according to claim 8, wherein. 10. The bicycle front derailleur according to claim 8, wherein the pivot pin includes a threaded portion that is screwed with a nut. 11. The cable guide adapter has a slit or slot that engages with an edge of the cable mounting member, and the tension of the cable that engages with the cable receiving surface of the cable guide adapter causes the cable guide adapter to move. The front derailleur for a bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the front derailleur is configured to be firmly attached to the cable attachment member. 12. The front derailleur for a bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the cable guide adapter is connected to the cable mounting member by snap engagement. 13. A fixing member configured to be coupled to a frame of a bicycle, a chain guide having a chain receiving slot for laterally shifting a bicycle chain, and a contracted position and an expanded position of the chain guide. A link mechanism connected between the chain guide and the fixing member for moving between the chain guide, the link mechanism supporting the chain guide above the fixing member, and the link mechanism, A coil spring that expands and contracts in the axial direction to urge the chain guide toward one of the contracted position and the expanded position, a first lower link that is rotatably connected to the fixing member, and the chain guide. A second upper link fixed to the first lower link and rotatably connected to the first lower link; A cable attachment member and a second end rotatably connected is pivotally connected to said second upper link to the fixing member, a cable attaching the ends Mounting of shift cable is attachable and the member, a said cable attachment member detachably coupled to cable guide adapter, and a cable guide adapter having a cable receiving surface for guiding the shift cable, said shift cable through the cable-receiving face The above
Connect to the cable mounting member, or
Cable is directly connected to the cable mounting member.
By selecting, pull up the shift cable.
Either tension cable or downward tension cable can be used
A front derailleur for bicycles that is characterized by 14. The first lower link is rotatably connected to the fixing member by a first pivot pin, and the coil spring is a first end connected to the first pivot pin. The front derailleur for a bicycle according to claim 13, further comprising: a second end connected to at least one of the second upper link and the chain guide. 15. The front derailleur for a bicycle according to claim 14, wherein the coil spring is a tension spring. 16. The cable guide adapter is detachably attached to the cable attachment member by at least one pivot pin for the first lower link in the link mechanism. The bicycle front derailleur according to any one of 1 to 15. 17. In the link mechanism, the second upper link is integrally formed with the chain guide, the third link is integrally formed with the fixing member, and the fourth link is between the second and third links. The bicycle front derailleur according to any one of claims 13 to 16, which is a 4-bar type link mechanism rotatably connected to the bicycle. 18. The second end of the coil spring is
A second connecting the second upper link and the fourth link
The bicycle front derailleur according to claim 17, wherein the front derailleur is connected to the second upper link via a pivot pin. 19. The second end of the coil spring is
The bicycle front derailleur according to claim 14, wherein the front derailleur is connected to a tab formed on the chain guide. 20. The first pivot pin has a pair of axially spaced grooves, and a holding washer is configured to be selectively received and held in one of the pair of grooves. The front derailleur for a bicycle according to claim 14, wherein: 21. The bicycle front derailleur according to claim 14, wherein the first pivot pin includes a threaded portion that is screwed into a nut. 22. The cable guide adapter has a slit or slot that engages an edge of the cable mounting member, and the tension of the cable that engages the cable receiving surface of the cable guide adapter causes the cable guide adapter to move. 14. The front derailleur for a bicycle according to claim 13, wherein the front derailleur for a bicycle is configured so as to be firmly attached to the cable attachment member. 23. The bicycle front derailleur according to claim 13, wherein the cable guide adapter is connected to the cable mounting member by snap engagement. 24. A fixing member configured to be coupled to a bicycle frame, a chain guide having a chain receiving slot for laterally shifting a bicycle chain, and a contraction position and an expansion position of the chain guide. A link mechanism connected between the fixing member and the chain guide for moving the chain guide between the fixed member and the chain guide, the link mechanism urging the chain guide toward one of the contracted position and the expanded position. An urging member, a first link rotatably connected to the fixed member, and a second link provided on the chain guide, the first link being rotatably connected to the first link. 2 links and said first
Link is a cable attachment member having one end the fixing member is rotatably connected to and the other end is pivotally connected to the second link, shift end Mounting of cables attached A cable guide adapter applied to a bicycle front derailleur having a cable attachment member that is enabled, comprising a main body having a cable receiving surface that guides the shift cable, and is detachably connected to the cable attachment member. is configured to obtain, the said shift cable through the cable-receiving face
Connect to the cable mounting member, or
Cable is directly connected to the cable mounting member.
By selecting, pull up the shift cable.
Either tension cable or downward tension cable can be used
A cable guide adapter characterized in that it is configured to 25. The cable attachment member is rotatably connected to the fixed member by a pivot pin, and the cable guide adapter is detachably attached to the cable attachment member via the pivot pin. The cable guide adapter according to claim 24, wherein the cable guide adapter is connected. 26. The main body portion has a slit or slot that engages with an edge of the cable mounting member, and the tension of the cable that engages with the cable receiving surface of the cable guide adapter causes the cable guide adapter to have the slit. 25. The cable guide adapter according to claim 24, wherein the cable guide adapter is configured so as to be firmly attached to the cable attachment member. 27. The cable guide adapter according to claim 24, which is detachably connected to the cable mounting member by snap engagement. 28. The cable guide adapter according to claim 24, wherein the main body portion has a holding flange for preventing the cable from being detached from the cable receiving surface.